What Are the Lesser Known Causes of Infertility?
“Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year with no success. Infertility results from female factors about one-third of the time and both female and male factors about one-third of the time. The cause is either unknown or a combination of male and female factors in the remaining cases. Female infertility causes can be difficult to diagnose” [1], and this is why it is essential to book a consultation with a Specialist Vulva Doctor. – They will give you a diagnosis, and then draw up a Personalised Treatment Plan. This is likely to involve both conventional and cutting-edge treatments
So What Infertility Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
As a Pain Consultant frequently explains: the primary symptom is the inability to become pregnant. A menstrual cycle which is too long (35-plus days); too short (under 21 days); absent or irregular, can mean that you are not ovulating. Of note, you may not experience any other symptoms or signs [1].
Did You Know?
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), is the most common reason why women are infertile. – But the good news is that it’s treatable. – Also, as soon as a Vulva Specialist gives you a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis, you can up you chances of getting pregnant by getting started on your treatment plan right away.
Less Talked About Causes of Infertility
Patients often feel that if they do not have PCOS, then that’s the end of the road. But it isn’t. – As you will see from the following list, there are a number of lesser-known causes which Vulva Doctors deal with every day. These comprise:
• Endometriosis: this gynaecological condition impacts approximately 1 in 10 females. It comes about when the endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus), grows in other areas outside the uterus.- For example: this tissue can grow both inside and around various other reproductive organs. And when this occurs, the function of the latter becomes impaired. To that end, when a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked this way, it can stop the eggs from exiting, and prevent the sperm from going in. – Thus resulting in infertility
• Blocked Fallopian Tubes: just as with endometriosis, other factors can also block these tubes. – Scarring due to surgery, and PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), can block one or both tubes, and thus disrupt a woman’s reproductive cycle
• Other Structural Abnormalities: in some instances, the cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes, can also play a role in infertility
• Uterine Fibroids and Polyps: these refer to non-cancerous growths which reside in the lining of the uterus. Generally speaking, they do not generate symptoms; however, as Vulva Doctors warn, they could contribute to a woman being infertile. Moreover, infertility can also be brought about by fibroids interfering with the implantation process, or fibroids blocking the fallopian tubes
• Hormonal Imbalance: polycystic ovary syndrome is a form of hormonal imbalance. However, as Pain Consultants regularly witness, this not the only type of imbalance which can lead to a woman being infertile. Indeed, several hormones including progesterone, oestrogen, prolactin, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and LH (luteinizing hormone), can all influence reproduction. Moreover, too little or too much of any of the aforementioned, can render trying to become pregnant difficult
• Premature Ovarian Failure (also known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency): this refers to a condition which makes a woman’s ovaries cease producing eggs before they reach 40 years of age. Vulva Specialists believe that this issue could be down to chemotherapy, genetics, or an autoimmune response. Of note: premature ovarian failure leads to infertility because a woman’s healthy eggs are not released for fertilization
Reference
[1]. Mayo Clinic (2022). “Female Infertility.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308